Washington, DC – U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) issued the following statement today in response to the Bush Administration denying New York’s application to cover more uninsured children.

 

“The Bush Administration’s decision to deny New York’s plan to provide insurance for more uninsured children is another example of how out of touch the President is with the needs of the American people.

 

Less than a week ago the Census Bureau released a report detailing that last year the number of uninsured children in the nation increased by more than 600,000 to over 8.6 million. The state of New York has demonstrated a commitment to decrease that number, starting with our lowest income families, yet the onerous conditions the Administration is attempting to place on these families is threatening to thwart New York’s efforts.

 

That any Americans have no health insurance is a travesty; that so many do is a tragedy of the highest proportion.

 

Providing our children with healthcare is protecting America’s future. It is difficult to imagine that President Bush and his Administration want to stop New York from protecting the health of its children, but this decision suggests they are.  This decision cannot stand and I’m committed working with my colleagues in Congress to do everything possible to overturn the Administration’s misguided decision.”

 

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